Fourteen farming organisations, including NFYFC, have issued a joint statement on UK Government to provide short-term certainty for the industry as exiting the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy draws closer.

The 14 organisations say Governments across the UK need to work together with the farmers and land managers to prepare for a new long-standing free trade agreement which retains and grows opportunities for food trade with the EU and the rest of the world.

They also call for commitments on transition that will see the UK remain in the Customs Union until a full free trade agreement is in place with the EU.

NFYFC’s Vice Chairman of Council Lynsey Martin, from Kent FYFC, has been involved in the discussion groups leading up to this joint statement. Lynsey said: “The industry and government Brexit roundtable groups demonstrate the collaboration necessary to advise with a collective voice and I’m delighted to be able to represent the voice of the next generation.”

NFYFC’ s name was among the 14 signatories to the statement and others included the British Poultry Council, CLA (Country Land and Business Association), National Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Farmers Union of Wales, National Farmers Union of Scotland, National Pig Association, National Sheep Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Scottish Land and Estates, The Soil Association, Tenant Farmers Association and the Ulster Farmers Union

Deputy President Tim Breitmeyer said: “Farmers and land managers will benefit from new opportunities in trade and agricultural policy. However, we must take the necessary time to put in place the right trade agreements and to develop and robustly test a new policy that will support farming and the environment for the long-term.

“We need a period of certainty in which this work can be done and we will continue to work with fellow farming organisations to achieve this."